Sesshin 02.03.

2012 In the human endeavour to come in terms with the nature of the reality, one can notice that there are various angles of perception and different ways of indicating it. One of those indication is, by referring to different dimensions of the reality with which we as human beings have to deal with. One is the unconscious nature involving all the elements, the plants, the animals except the human beings the dimension where everything is in harmony, in tune with the whole without getting in to any idea of harmony or disharmony. And then comes the human dimension, where something new is taking place: the human being is not only part of nature but also has the capacity to become conscious of it, to see what it is all about, to understand something about the way it is all working! Then, the third dimension: the awareness of the divine, the awareness of the essence, the awareness of the mystical, which is when the consciousness of this reality - the recognition of that what is - becomes so deep and clear that there is no entanglement in other dimensions, which otherwise is the case. Philosophically Friedrich Nietzsche has been indicating it in this way, that the human being is the bridge between the animal and god. It is very insightful. The animal level is where one is in touch with everything - one is part of the nature, is in tune with the whole, but is not aware of it. It is simply living in harmony a heavenly state - without recognising it. With the human being something very deeply significant starts, a certain awareness is taking place, a certain insight - the beginning of a quality of understanding. The human being starts to gain knowledge, begins to apply the intellect and gains the ability to use the knowledge in order to attain some sort of 'supremacy' over the 'nature'. That is the second part, where human beings gain through the accumulation of knowledge a certain strength, the power to control, to manage, to manipulate, to interfere and also to improve or destroy in such a way that human beings get the feeling that 'we are somebody', 'we are strong', etc. .. This is also a certain stage of the 'unconscious', evolutionary development. The third level is more individually explored - when the human being goes deeper beyond a limited perception through the level of the intellect and the knowledge into a deeper sensibility, where one is not so preoccupied with only oneself but also starts seeing, recognising the parallel factors. This can deepen the consciousness in such a way, leading to a deeply fulfilling, liberating way of 'awakening' to the reality. That is when we human beings become capable of living the 'multidimensional' life - where one is in the world, in the natural process and yet is transcending it. That is what Jesus has been indicating with the statement: 'I am the 'son of man' and the 'son of god' at the same time.'. It is very valuable for us to consider these aspects deeply and recognise that the potential which we carry within is very, very significant, very, very valuable! In this process of unfolding the human potential - which Nietzsche calls 'the bridge' - the preliminary factor is the 'intellect'. As we can observe in life - we start gaining knowledge. Such gaining information and insight into the working of many aspects takes place at the 'intellectual' level. But this sort of 'knowledge' is partial, is fragmentary. It does not arise out of an attunment to the wholeness of the reality. It is helpful for the practical functioning and useful for coming in terms with the world as well as for the social developments in life. It is the basis of the whole scientific developments and the power which is gained through it. Yet, it is a certain kind of 'projection' in to the reality and can become a barrier to experience the nature of 'the reality' in the way it actually is! The intellect collects information, becomes very functional and has a very pragmatic significance in the development of the human being; but, the real humanness - where the human being begins to go beyond the animal level - begins when the quality of consciousness comes in to our living. That is when we start considering 'that what is' more deeply rather than just going on only 'projecting' through the logical, rational 'knowledge-level'. Knowledge, howsoever practical it can be in certain

areas, is something static. It is something fixed and not in direct touch with the alive, flowing, dynamic process of life. It is necessary to deliberately put aside our usual 'knowledge and labels' in order to understand our deeper potential - the potential of love, the potential of compassion, the potential of joy and fulfillment as well as the potential of ultimate freedom - and thus experience the nature of our divinity. We as human beings are capable also to rise above the dimension of the duality, where we can transcend the entanglement in the animal level and realise the potential of ultimate freedom....!! Consequently, it also means awakening to the dimension of our reality which is beyond death - to the dimension of the eternal, of the divine nature. It is very valuable for us to bring these factors in to our attention. Only when we see what a tremendous potential we have within, what is possible for us and recognize also that what is preventing us from rising to our heights - from living the love, the joy, the beauty, the celebration, the wonder are we also able to take the steps in order to allow it and live it. Life in our modern societies are predominantly on the intellectual, logical, rational level, where we are focused on collecting knowledge. But there is something deeper - the sensibility of the heart which is a deeper quality of intelligence and perception. The logical, rational approach is very much 'I'-based and is limited by the 'fragmentary' knowledge. But with the heart the human being starts opening up and gets to sense, to feel and to allow a different perception, a different sensibility, where one is not only looking at that what one doesn't like or what one likes, but begins to look at what is there, what is with the other, what is taking place in the 'interaction' in life! At the level of the heart we begin to open up; and when we combine this quality of the heart with consciousness, then we begin to go even deeper. From the logical, rational, intellectual level the step to allow the heart brings us into a certain intuitive state a sensibility of a finer kind - and then combining it with the consciousness we go deeper where we begin to see, how everything in life is interconnected. It reveals to us how we are responsible for ourselves and also for the life process in and around us! It is a new insight, a new perception, a new understanding and a new experiencing of life, which begins as we allow the quality of consciousness and the sensibility of the heart to come together and thus allow the deeper potential of intelligence in us to manifest in our living. Therefore it is not just a question of collecting knowledge, trying to be more clever and go into the game of 'power' by competing and trying to prove who is strong and who is weak, etc. It is a way of starting to feel life, allowing a different sensibility. That is where compassion starts - opening the inner windows and doors towards a quality of a deeper love and understanding. This sort of sensibility is what is very important, that we bring that we allow it to enter deliberately in to our living. This is not something which is taking place automatically and mechanically - it is there as a possibility, but we have to claim it - we have to take the initiative for it. It is very significant for us to recognise that we as human beings need to take this initiative for a deeper and direct understanding of our reality since only that will enable us to become inwardly free and be fulfilled. It is the real 'destiny' of ours in this sense that we have the chance not to remain entangled in the animal level where we are able to connect to each other more or less blindly, reacting in conflicts mostly with aggressive force and limited use of intelligence, but rising to a quality of love and compassion, through the conscious recognition of the interconnectedness in life. It is a step of opening oneself within, to include more of life, more of each other, to discover what actually is. This is a new quality of experiencing life which is becoming possible in our capacity as a human being and this is very significant to consciously allow - to consciously bring such an 'openness' in to living. The 'reminders' which we have for this sesshin are supportive towards bringing a quality of insight and sensibility, through which it becomes possible to move consciously and deliberately and go beyond the limitation of the logical, rational level - where knowledge and power are often held on blindly - in to a deeper way of understanding, a way of compassion and lovingness. It is a way of

allowing the sensibility of the heart and a deeper quality of intelligence to enter in to the way we go about living. It's a 'deeper response' in which we come closer to our authentic nature the truth, the wonder, the light and playfulness. That is becoming possible through the deliberate application of the capacity of consciousness in us. There are two reminders which are basically to bring about the consciousness of these two possibilities and also to apply it and live it in practical living to realise this potential, which can make our life in to a deeply joyous, fulfilling, beautiful flowering of love and light. The first reminder is: Observe directly as much as possible in each interaction, what is automatically coming as a reaction within you. Remember not to try to change anything forcibly nor hurry to move from one pattern to another pattern! At first it has to do with seeing how certain patterns are working in us and then waiting and looking: 'what is the 'answer' to this situation?!' When you consider the whole situation wakefully, carefully, without taking sides - without holding to any of the automatic reactions consciously allowing a quality of sympathy, of compassion, of love in your response, what is the response?! It is a very deliberate step of moving from the 'mechanical- automatic' way of reacting in to allowing a sensibility - a response where there is compassion, where there is intelligence, where there is love, where there is lightness. It is taking a step from the narrow 'I'-based approach, in to allowing a reality oriented, life oriented, love oriented way of looking and experiencing that what is and thus allowing an answer to arise from within through such an openness. In every situation, every interaction, in every connection where reactions are arising, look. Look what is taking place automatically? What is coming up in you almost mechanically? Look at it, become 'aware' and consider! Stay with it for some moments and look what is possible when you are not following the approach of power nor following a reaction, which is only looking for the advantage for oneself! Look, what is a loving response in the situation! Consider, what is a creative approach! Very often in our automatic reactions there is a certain kind of 'force' in it, as if one is wanting to grab something; we often begin to fight for it, or when it is not happening the way we want, to move in to some negative states! One can say it is a survival level - an animal level of reacting - which often arise automatically in us. But as you begin to observe it, without following it blindly, you create a space for a different quality of being with the moment. It becomes an answer to the situation, an answer to life from this deliberate openness and sensibility. Attempt to bring this remembrance, as often as you can, and each time take some moments to consider it and allow a response. Do so at least on seven occasions during the day; there may be so many situations where it is possible. In certain situations you may be so much involved that you may not have the chance to take this inner distance; therefore deliberately bring, at least in seven occasions during the day this possibility in to practice. Especially in occasions where you are really getting touched strongly - where things are provoked in you, where very strong reactions are arising the moment you notice it, attempt to bring the attention and look. Consider and see, what is it that is arising as an answer when you are compassionately, consciously allowing the capacity of deeper intelligence, to come in to this encounter. It is a very important step. Not following the 'automatism' implies many things: one of them is, that we are creating the room for the sensibility of our heart, for the deeper intelligence and thus for going beyond the approach of force and violence. This is a very significant step, since this is what is enabling us human beings to be 'truly human' and create the foundation for a healthy co-existence on this planet. Without such a basic step which is individually brought into living, we can not have a different basis for healthy developments in our society and the world. Recognize that it is not just an individual, narrow factor, but something which has vast implications. The real steps which can have a valuable impact to the

world are steps which begin with the individual - begin with bringing of consciousness in day to day life; yet, in the practice one can see, that it is also a step towards a 'different way of being' in the world. It is a certain way of being in life where we can realise, that we need not continue to be on an animal level, but can truly allow the potential of our intelligence and our creativity to live a life of clarity and fulfillment. Creativity also means, using the capacity of intelligence, using the capacity of imagination, using the capacity of fantasy in a really conscious way - creating room for new experiences, new insights. That is why I have been often reminding of the three orientations for life: consciousness, compassion, creativity, referred to as the three C's. Through a conscious way of confronting that what life brings, orienting consciously to compassion as a basis of connecting, we allow the space for the intelligence and imagination to enter in to our way of living, so that our life is becoming a creative process..... When one rightly understands, it is possible to see that it is a different way of encountering the challenges of life. Rather than seeing the so called problems and difficulties as something 'against' us, when one recognizes that, it is also exactly a possibility - by encountering it consciously with an orientation to love and compassion - to apply the imagination, to apply the fantasy, so that it becomes a deeper understanding of living and being with the reality. Approaching with such a perspective one sees that through all these interactions what is actually happening is a certain 'inner growth', an inner development, an inner expansion! It is a way of discovering new possibilities for oneself and also for manifesting it in the world. Therefore it is good if these aspects are carefully considered and these reminders put in to practice very consequently - in a deliberate and sensible way. Through that it becomes not a concept which one is only intellectually dealing with, but something which becomes an experiential and alive understanding. This is very deeply significant and can be very deeply fulfilling to realize that life is a very playful and beautiful process.... The second reminder, which is also a complementary step to the first one and can help to bring in the awareness more deeply in to life, is: Whenever you remember and can do it, just hold the breath for some moments! Whenever it becomes possible just hold the breath, and be. Stay without breathing out as long as you can. When the pressure is too strong, then allow a deep exhalation. Allow a deep breathing out to take place, and after this stay some moments just being with the emptiness - with that inner quality when you are holding to nothing. Practice this at least seven times during the day. This will be complementary to the first orientation. These are very basic and significant supports which can be very decisive, when through this experimentation - this attempt to deliberately bring in a different quality of awareness - you realise what a difference it makes. It can help to come in touch with the potential you are carrying within, and realize what beauty it has when you are not letting the automatism overtake your life: This can help you to see that you need not behave in a robotic or animal level and let the capacity of the humanness arise and manifest in you consciously. It can help allow a quality of gracefulness in your life. Although we are not talking about god and the higher things directly, what this experience will reveal to you is, that how significant this life is and how wondrous all and everything in this life process is and through that come in touch with the 'divinity' of the whole existence, the 'godliness' of everything - indirectly. Use these reminders as wholeheartedly, as deeply, applying them as carefully,as you can.

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Now, when we sit for the next hour, stay as wakeful and present to all that what is taking place with the body, with the thoughts and feelings, with the energy process - without identifying with it neigher clinging to the pleasurable aspects, nor fighting against the uncomfortable or unpleasant aspects. Remember, without identifying with that what is taking place to mirror it all. This way stay rooted in the consciousness. With such an orientation we sit the next hour.